Sako’s fine form has coincided with the return from injury of his Mali countryman Nouha Dicko.

The big winger clearly has an understanding with Dicko and looked for him again and again in the win against Brentford.

He also appears more willing to track back, make tackles and do the ugly side of the job when Dicko is alongside him.

Wolves have won eight, drawn two and lost just two of the 12 games the pair have started.

Their link-up play and power has stood out a mile as Wolves picked up seven points from nine over the Christmas period.

Therein lies the problem for Kenny Jackett.

Sako is a shoo-in for the Mali team at next month's African Cup of Nations - and even though Dicko looks set to miss out, it will still mean the temporary break-up of their again burgeoning double act.

Wolves’ loss is Mali’s gain, and for a possible five matches should the African nation reach the final.

It’s no surprise that playing with a settled back four has coincided with Wolves’ return to winning ways.

Kortney Hause and Dominic Iorfa have looked like seasoned veterans since making debuts in recent weeks.

But it’s at the heart of the back line that Wolves have looked most accomplished with Danny Baath and Richard Stearman forging a solid partnership.

There was a brief mix-up early on against Brentford and a lack of communication.

But the duo learned their lesson, made timely tackles and threw their bodies in front of countless shots as the visitors pressed for a late equaliser.

3) Danny Graham’s loan won’t be extended

The 29-year-old striker started Wolves first matches after joining on loan from Premier League Sunderland last month.

But Wolves won only one of those games - at Sheffield Wednesday where

Graham was withdrawn at half-time after a dreadful 45 minutes in which he spurned a glorious opening. The hitman, who has scored only once for Wolves, was subbed at half-time against Brighton the following week and has not featured since.

Jackett opted for Leon Clarke late on against Brentford, rather than Graham. And despite potential selection problems caused by the African Cup of Nations, Jackett does not appear interested in extending Graham’s loan beyond December 31.

McDonald is as vital to Wolves’ Premier League dream as he was to their League One title win last season.

He played two passes against Brentford that demonstrated an imagination beyond most, if not all, of his teammates in old gold and black.

The classy Scot was playing well before Jack Price won his place back in the side.

But he’s playing even better now because Price gives him the licence to.

It’s something Jackett touched on post-match and it’s something that’s there for all the fans to see, even though a suspension will temporarily knock McDonald out of his stride.

5) The Molineux faithful were desperate to see a win

The win against Brentford was Wolves’ first on home soil since October 21. So there was understandably tension among the some support - even when Wolves had a two-goal cushion.

Rajiv van La Parra appeared to be the target of the fan’s frustrations. The flying Dutchman has been a real threat for Wolves in recent weeks, but was off the pace against The Bees and the crowd informed him in no uncertain terms.

A huge roar greeted the final whistle as Wolves hung on to the three points for dear life. Surely the badly-needed home win will give the players some breathing space and margin for error when they next play at Molineux for the visit of Blackpool on January 17.